Housefull(1999)
House Full is a 1999 Indian Tamil-language thriller film written and directed by R. Parthiban. The film stars Parthiban, Vikram, Roja, and Suvalaxmi in lead roles. The story is set inside a cinema theatre where bombs are planted during a movie show. The theatre owner, Ayya, must decide whether to evacuate the audience against police orders. The film was produced by Parthiban's children under Bioscope Film Framers, with music composed by Ilaiyaraaja. House Full won the National Film Award for Best Tamil Feature Film at the 46th National Film Awards. It also won Tamil Nadu State Film Awards for Best Director and Best Editor. The film was released on 15 January 1999 and is notable for having no songs.
Quick Facts
- Theatrical Release
- 15 January 1999
- Director
- R. Parthiban
- Language
- Tamil
- Runtime
- 2h 25m
- Rating
- 4.7/10
Storyline
A respected theatre owner named Ayya faces a nightmare when bombs are planted inside his cinema during a show. The police order him to keep the audience calm while they try to defuse the bombs. But when a young woman sneaks in to warn her lover, panic erupts, and Ayya must choose between obeying the law and saving lives.
“One man's choice. Everyone's fate.”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew
Reunion Meter
Frequent partnerships reunited for Housefull
Cast reunions in this film: Vadivelu & Ilayaraja (23 films together), Vadivelu & Roja Selvamani (15 films together), Ilayaraja & Roja Selvamani (14 films together), R. Parthiban & Ilayaraja (11 films together), Vikram & Ilayaraja (8 films together), and Vadivelu & R. Parthiban (5 films together).
Trivia
- The film was inspired by a real-life bomb threat at a Chennai cinema hall in the 1990s.
- Director R. Parthiban also played the lead role, making it a rare thriller in his filmography.
- The entire story unfolds in real-time, matching the runtime of the film's in-movie play.
- It was shot mostly on a single set built to look like a theatre's interior and backstage.
- The film's climax was noted for its tense, minimal dialogue during the bomb defusal scene.
- It was a moderate box office success but later gained a cult following for its novel concept.
- The movie's title 'Housefull' ironically refers to the packed theatre that becomes a death trap.